EPISTEMOLOGY IN MIGRANT COMMUNITY FOR BETTER HEALTH OUTCOMES IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE OF NORTH INDIA - A CASE STUDY

The migrant community often lacks health care access due to poor health knowledge. Epistemology deals with the nature and scope of knowledge. Epistemology links the migrant community to health system with adequate knowledge to accept the health seeking behavior in lifestyle. Objective: To assess thesalutogenic health promotion model in primary health care for the migrant population. Methods: A qualitative analysis in the migrant community was conducted in a family with an antenatal case as the index case. The epistemological salutogenic health model of General Resistance Resources (GRR) and Sense of Coherence (SOC) was applied. A health promotion model was devised in accordance to the GRR and SOC. A health system intervention was also planned to improve health indicators. Results: The family had a better approach towards heath and preparedness towards the institutional delivery of the child. The children were immunized with appropriate documentation. The success story of the family turned the migrant community to act as a social support group for positive health. There were improvements in the health indicators of the urban slum improved. Conclusion: Usingepistemology aspects and salutogenic health promotion model bridged the gaps in the health system with the migrant community. The migrant community are often ignorant towards their health but with appropriate health promotion models their health needs can be addressed.